Meet Chef-Partner Tom Hugenberger

Half-Dutch, Korean-born Executive chef-partner, Tom Hugenberger’s love of cooking and pleasing diners started when he first cooked for his dad at the age of nine. He brings with him 26 years of restaurant hospitality from catering, corporate dining, restaurant consulting to owning two establishments. With a solid French technique base, Chef Hugenberger rouses even the simplest dishes to new life with his nuanced Asian style, using up to 17 spices and herbs –toasted, crushed or infused. His trademark is pairing different versions of the same ingredient in one dish to add depth and texture. Hugenberger graduated as valedictorian from the Read more →

News, Specials and Other Great Things To Know About

Idealist and recent UCLA graduate, David Lackman, wanted to transform the historic craftsman, 2911 Main Street storefront, a one time popular mid-century beauty “parlor,” and more recently, Papa Louie Italian restaurant into an ideal, serious microbrewery, specifically “an engaging gathering place for handcrafted beers, great food & friendly conversation.” And he did in 1995, with the help of new SCI-ARC graduate, John Hirsch of Hedge Designs (interior) and colleague Sasha Tarnopolsky of Dry Design (garden patio). They recently told their story at a reunion to renowned SCI-ARC founder, Ray Kappe. Every detail of the 1600 Sq. Foot bar and 800 sq. foot patio is meticulous, from the distinctive outside wooden overhang, not a single nail among its intricate interlocking pieces, to the back garden patio with retractable, high overhead panels. The rich cherry wood paneling is clubby but light and modern, with abstracted ladders embracing the panels to became a nod to the notion of library. Organic and seasonal and local highlight both the food, and the beers and wine menus. A penchant for running an environmentally sound business is reflected in the Library Alehouse’s many awards for implementing eco-measures, such as outlawing Styrofoam long before the city of Santa Read more here →

The first Library Alehouse “Meet & Greet a local TV chef winner” honored Executive Chef Derek Walker for his win on the “Chopped ‘Hero Chef’ ” Show. The special episode highlighted chefs who have served their communities with their culinary talents. Chef Derek is in charge of the culinary training program at the nearby St. Joseph Center Venice, and oversees the Bread and Roses Café, which provides daily meals to the less fortunate in a comfortable and clean setting. Here’s how it worked: Chef Tom created from the Derek’s TV basket ingredients a new 3-course-meal, adding his own specialties in between courses. Chef Derek brought his prize-winning cheddar cheese apple cookies with raspberry cream cookies for all the guests, and told his behind-the-scenes story. Price of the meal was $29.11 (plus tax and tip), to remind people of the Library Alehouse address in Santa Monica! A donation of 15% went to Bread and Roses Restaurant. Read more here →

The new Library Alehouse lunch special menu, served Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m.- 3p.m., offers affordable, upscale comfort food and spirits so everyone working, playing and living on Main Street, Santa Monica can “eat on the street” every day. Known for its “library of ales and craft beers on tap”, co-owner, Chef Hugenberger, has taken to the kitchen to fashion lively seasonal specials that seamlessly pair brews and upscale comfort food for both leisure and hurried lunch-goers. A flight of four different beers ($10) will be on the menu daily . Monday: Better than F.O. Burgers – “Build your Own” burger using pre-printed checklist (veggie or beer-brined turkey burger) – yes, we allow ketchup Tuesday: TacoTuesday features unusual, original tacos such as wild boar, pork belly, Asian fajitas, moles. Wednesday: All-day Happy Hour Hump Day. The ‘Study Break’ menu is offered from opening until 6 pm. We will make your favorite salad from the fresh ingredients you choose from Chef Tom’s visit to the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market Thursday: A Beer of the Day and ‘Get Soaked’ menu features dishes with beer as an ingredient, such as the chef’s beer-brined, herbaceous chicken Friday: FryDay features inspired “fried” foods by the Read more here →

Alex P. Davis has been a beer geek since he was legally able and has been with the Library Alehouse since 2010. He is a Certified Cicerone®, having passed both the written and tasting exams necessary to achieve that distinction. Have a question that requires beer expertise. He's your man.